Exploring Household and Social Cultural Factors contributing to Students Truancy and Dropout in Community Secondary Schools: A case of selected schools in Kinondoni Municipality

Balilonda, Elice (2015) Exploring Household and Social Cultural Factors contributing to Students Truancy and Dropout in Community Secondary Schools: A case of selected schools in Kinondoni Municipality. Masters thesis, The Open University Of Tanzania.

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Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to explore the household and social cultural factors contributing to student truancy and dropout in community secondary schools in Kinondoni Municipality. The study has three objectives. First was to find out parents/ guardian’s perception on value of education, second was to assess parents/guardian’s social economic factors contributing to student truancy and school dropping and third was to find out social cultural issues among families relating to students truancy and school dropping. Several research instruments were used to collect data including questionnaires, interviews and documentary review of school records, observation and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The findings show that factors contributing to student’s truancy and dropout in community secondary schools include parents’ academic background, school facilities and socio-economic issues. Data also reveal that some of the female students leave school for marriage and others become pregnant as a shortcut. The parents’ perception on value of education influenced parents neglect on investment in their daughter’s education for fear of pregnancy. On the basis of these findings, it was recommended that, there is a need also to change the societal negative attitudes and overall social-economic issues which hinder investment in girls’ education. Parents need to participate and be involved effectively in decision making concerning the management of community secondary schools. Also, the government needs to establish rules and regulations for quality control of community secondary schools.

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